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Good morning, Orange County. This is Thrive OC, your guide to the best local spots, happenings, and hidden gems across the coast and beyond. Here’s what’s on deck:

• Your lineup of fall fun: festivals, Halloween events, and more

• A greenhouse-inspired culinary gem

• A flood that turned heads along the coast

• Heroic moments on the water

• Big changes coming to a local landmark

Let’s dive in.

— Dave Berry

🍽️ Restaurant of the Week: Poppy & Seed (Anaheim)

A greenhouse-chic bistro with a Michelin Guide nod and a 2023 James Beard semifinalist pedigree, Poppy & Seed leans into California seasonality—some of it grown steps from your table. Expect modern American plates, thoughtful cocktails, and a lively, communal vibe that feels equal parts garden party and night out.

Where: 350 S Anaheim Blvd, Anaheim | Phone: (714) 603-7130

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📅 Upcoming Events 🎉

Irvine Park Railroad Pumpkin Patch, Orange (Now–Oct 31)

Train rides, hay mazes, carnival games, and photo ops behind the historic Irvine Park train station. Reservations required on October weekends; $20 includes train ride and entry. Weekdays 10 AM–6 PM, Weekends 8 AM–6 PM | 1 Irvine Park Rd., Orange | Event Info

Knott’s Scary Farm, Buena Park (Now–Nov 1)

Southern California’s longest-running Halloween haunt with mazes, shows, and more than 1,000 monsters. Select nights 7 PM–1 AM | Knott’s Berry Farm, Buena Park | Ticketed | Event Info

Surf City Nights, Huntington Beach (Oct 21)

Downtown HB transforms into a street fair with farmers market finds, live music, and sidewalk sales. 5–9 PM | Main Street, Huntington Beach | Event Info

Fight Club OC – Boxing & MMA (Oct 23)

California’s premier hybrid combat sports show returns to Costa Mesa for another adrenaline-filled night of boxing and MMA. Featuring top local fighters and an electric crowd, it’s OC’s ultimate fight night experience. Doors 6 PM, First Bout 7 PM | The Hangar, OC Fair & Event Center, Costa Mesa | Event Info

Newport Beach Film Festival (Now–Oct 23)

Eight days of world-class cinema, red carpets, international spotlights, and signature events—now in its 26th year. Thu–Thu, Oct 16–23 | Various venues across Newport Beach | Event Info

Newport Movies at the Dunes, Newport Beach (Oct 24–25)

Outdoor movies by the bay at dusk—call ahead for the weekly lineup. Fri & Sat at dusk | Newport Dunes | Event Info

Irvine Nights - Swift Nation (Oct 25)

An unofficial Taylor sing-along tribute under the lights at Great Park Live. Come ready to sing every era. 6 PM | Great Park Live, Irvine | Event Info

Newport Beach Annual Halloween Spooktacular (Oct 25)

Haunted walkthrough, games, trunk-or-treat, costume contest, music, and more—family-friendly and free. 3–6 PM | Mariners Park, 1300 Irvine Ave., Newport Beach | Event Info

Monster Dash 5K & Creepy Crawl Fun Run, San Clemente (Oct 25)

Closed-street downtown course, chip timing, tee, pancake breakfast, live music—costumes encouraged. Sat, times vary | Downtown San Clemente / SC Community Center | Event Info

Anaheim Fall Festival & Halloween Parade (Oct 25)

A century-loved OC tradition—festival at Center Greens by day, parade by night. Costumes, local artists, live entertainment, crafts, treats, and more. Festival 11 AM–5 PM; Parade 7 PM | Center Greens & Downtown Anaheim | Event Info

Dana Point Dogapalooza (Oct 25)

Costume contest, VW photo booth, pet pampering, vendors, live music, food trucks, and a Harbor Pack Walk—benefiting a great cause. Leashed pups welcome. 10 AM | Bump Out Park, Dana Point Harbor | Event Info

Fall SoCal Corgi Beach Day, Huntington Beach (Oct 25)

Bigger beach, more parking, contests all day (“Best Corgi Butt,” limbo, and more), 45+ vendors, rescue zone, and thousands of corgs + honorary corgs. 10 AM–3 PM | Huntington City Beach (near the pier) | Event Info

Murder Mystery Scavenger Hunt, Huntington Beach (Oct 25)

Solve riddles and track suspects across downtown, the pier, and Pacific City in a fast-paced team competition. 11 AM–4 PM | Cruisers HB, 210 5th St., Huntington Beach | Event Info

🏄 Local News You Should Know

San Juan Creek Blew Open at Doheny During the First Storm

The season’s first rains helped push open the San Juan Creek mouth at Doheny State Beach, sending a plume of runoff into the lineup. Drone footage captured the scene and a timely reminder of the 72-hour rule: after a rain, bacteria levels spike, and surfers and swimmers should wait before jumping in.

OC & Statewide Lifeguards Honored for Valor

At an annual ceremony in Laguna Beach, lifeguards received Medal of Valor and Heroic Act awards for extraordinary rescues—from a sinking 48-foot sport-fisher in Alamitos Bay to open-ocean CPR during a Catalina-to-Newport paddle. A powerful snapshot of the professionalism on our coast.

South Coast Plaza Village: 1,500+ homes, parks, and offices approved

Santa Ana gave the green light to redevelop South Coast Plaza Village into “The Village”—a phased, 20-year mixed-use plan with up to 1,583 residences, 300k sq. ft. of office, 80k sq. ft. of retail, and ~7.5 acres of open space, plus new traffic signals and a protected bike route on Bear St. Community benefits and affordable housing funds are baked in.

🌟 OC Trivia: Did You Know?

Knott’s Berry Farm predates Disneyland by decades—and it launched its Halloween tradition long before most theme parks had one. No surprise Knott’s Scary Farm is still the county’s go-to classic each October.

Think you know OC? Reply with your best trivia, and we might feature it next!

🎶 Live Music This Weekend

Looking for live tunes? Here’s what’s happening:

Friday, October 24:

1. Bigshots Billiards (Lake Forest) – Anthem Road (Classic Rock/Pop), 8:30 pm

2. Knuckleheads (San Clemente) – The Prairies Record Release Party, 8:00 pm

3. San Juan Hills Golf Course (San Juan Capistrano) – Trisha Freeman Band, 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm

4. The Coach House (San Juan Capistrano) – Engelbert Humperdinck, 9:00 pm

5. The Drake (Laguna Beach) – Eric Dries Trio, 6:30 pm - 10:30 pm

6. StillWater Spirits & Sounds (Dana Point) – Flock of 80s, 9:00 pm

7. Bayside Restaurant (Newport Beach) – Ron Kobayashi Band, 6:30 pm - 11:30 pm

8. Campus JAX (Newport Beach) – The Reflexx, 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm

9. Garden Amp (Garden Grove) – Femme Fatale Flower Fest (Go-Go’s, Stevie Nicks, Blondie Tributes), 5:00 pm

10. Hyatt Regency (Newport Beach) – Jazz Attack ft. Rick Braun & Richard Elliot, 7:30 pm

11. Spaghettini (Seal Beach) – Andy Vargas & Erin Stevenson, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

12. The Harp Inn (Costa Mesa) – Flashback Heart Attack, 9:00 pm - 12:30 am

🌦️ 7-Day Weather Forecast

🌅 Sunrise & Sunset in OC

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